Spain’s Joel Alvarez opened the UFC Stockholm card opposite Danilo Belluardo, and it didn’t take long for the lightweight to find the finish.
Joel Alvarez steps into the cage at UFC Stockholm seeking his first win in the promotion. The Spaniard started his career at an excellent 15-1 with 14 submissions and one knockout. Of all those stoppages, only five went beyond the first round. Alvarez made his Octagon debut in February, losing by unanimous decision to Damir Ismagulov.
Danilo Belluardo is an Italian lightweight with a 12-3 record with half of those wins coming by knockout. He’ll be making his promotional debut at UFC Stockholm riding a six-fight win streak with his last fight being the only one of the run to go to a decision. Belluardo fought in Bellator once, losing to top-tier featherweight AJ McKee in 2016.
Alvarez was using his range well at the start of round one letting loose with his kicks. Despite Alzarez just being looser on the feet, Belluardo timed a nice takedown putting Alvarez on his back. Belluardo stayed busy for the last two minutes of the round with ground and pound. Alvarez threw up a triangle at the last seconds but had no time to set it up.
Cageside Press scores round 1 a 10-9 for Belluardo.
Alvarez picked up the pace in the second, starting to land a lot of output. Alvarez was throwing the step in knee going to the body and that allowed Belluardo to time another easy takedown. Alvarez secured wrist control and swept Belluardo to his back. Alvarez had wrist control in half guard and started unleashing unanswered punches to the side of the head. Belluardo curled up not looking to escape and the ref stepped in!
VICIOUS GnP!
Welcome to the UFC, El Fenomeno! #UFCStockholm pic.twitter.com/ANSA7tKbw9
— UFC (@ufc) June 1, 2019
Just like that, Joel Alvarez had his first victory in the UFC.
Joel Alvarez def. Danilo Belluardo via TKO (ground and pound), Round 2, 2:22
